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Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disease manifested in a triad of cognitive, psychiatric, and motor signs and symptoms. HD is caused by a triplet repeat (CAG)expansion in the gene Huntingtin (HTT). This disease has classically been conceptualized as a neurodegenerative disease. However, recent evidence suggests that abnormal brain development may play an important role in the etiology of HD. Huntingtin (HTT)is expressed during development and through life. In animal studies, the HTT gene has been shown to be vital for brain development. This suggests that a mutant form of HTT (gene-expanded or CAG repeats of 40 and above) would affect normal brain development. In addition, studies in adults who are gene-expanded for HD, but have not yet manifested the illness, (pre-HD subjects) have significant changes in the structure of their brain, even up to 20 years before onset of clinical diagnosis. How far back these changes are evident is unknown. One possibility is that these brain changes are present throughout life, due to changes in brain development,though initially associated with only subtle functional abnormalities.

In an effort to better understand the developmental aspects of this brain disease, the current study proposes to evaluate brain structure and function in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 6-18) who are at risk for developing HD - those who have a parent or grandparent with HD. Brain structure will be evaluating using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with quantitative measures of the entire brain, cerebral cortex, as well as white matter integrity via Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Brain function will be assessed by cognitive tests, physical and neurologic evaluation, behavioral assessment, and quantitative craniofacial structure assessment. Subjects that are gene-expanded (GE) will be compared to subjects who are gene non-expanded (GNE) and as well to matched healthy controls. Changes in brain structure and/or function in the GE group, compared to both GNE and control groups, would lend support to the notion that this disease has an important developmental component.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data will be analyzed to assess brain structure based upon variables including global volume, total cerebral spinal fluid, subregion volumes, cortical surface anatomy including cortical depth, surface area and gyral shape, and symmetry between brain hemispheres, all in consideration of age, gender, and height. Results will be evaluated for comparative differences between the GE group, the GNE group, and the healthy control group. In addition, these measures of brain structure will be paired with corresponding measures of brain function to evaluate brain development based upon growth and performance.

Participants undergo a cognitive battery which will quantify skills such as attention, learning, memory. In addition, motor skill (both fine and gross) will be assessed and quantified. Results will be analyzed for comparative differences between the GE group, the GNE group, and the healthy control group. In addition, these measures of brain function will be paired with appropriate measures of brain structure to evaluate brain development based upon growth and performance.

Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA

Biospecimens are collected and retained for both case and control participants for genetic testing purposes. Specimens are either a single sample of 1-2 teaspoons of blood drawn from the arm or 1 teaspoon of saliva via collection device.

Biospecimens will be tested for the number of CAG repeats in the Huntingtin Gene. Each sample obtained will be coded with a randomly assigned number and never linked with personal identifiers. The results from the genetic analysis will be sent directly to the data manager on the project, who is the ONLY research member with access to this data. This person has no direct contact with study participants.

Healthy children with no medical or psychiatric disorder and no history of HD in their family

Case Parent

Parent of participant at risk for Huntington Disease

Control Parent

Parent of healthy control participant

Eligibility

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:

6 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Young people ages 6-18 years old who have a parent or grandparent that has been diagnosed with Huntington's Disease

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Family history of Huntington's Disease

Age 6-18 years

Age-appropriate knowledge of HD and personal risk

Exclusion Criteria:

Metal in body, including braces

History of head trauma, brain tumor, seizures, epilepsy

History of major surgery and/or significant ongoing medical issue(s)

Contacts and Locations

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01860339